A Dad’s quest to find the perfect family car

Top Minivans for 2009

I came across this post on Cars for Girls that includes copy from a NADA Guides news release indicating that top 5 vans for 2009. Here’s the copy from the release. I’ve only had a chance to drive the Odyssey and Routan. The Odyssey is band on. It’s a smooth ride and well appointed. But the Routan. Sure, the interior is a step up from its Chrysler-born siblings, but it drives like a stodgy old van. The Odyssey Touring model was a far more luxurious ride.

NADAguides says the 2009 Honda Odyssey is “one of the best all-around minivans on the market,” and they like it because it comes with 244-hp V6, seating for up to eight passengers, a smooth ride and “quality fit and finish.” They also note the Odyssey is safe too, with side-curtain airbags for all three rows, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and traction control.

NADAguides says the 2009 Toyota Sienna is quiet on the road and offers a “beautiful ride in a spacious and well-equipped cabin.” The optional AWD Toyota Sienna also made the list. NADAguides likes the powerful 266 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, sleek exterior styling and list of optional equipment, including navigation, a back-up camera and rear seat DVD entertainment.

A Volkswagen and Chrysler pair-up created the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, a seven-passenger minivan with VW-inspired styling. The Routan made the NADAguides list because they love the amenities, including a power lift gate and two power sliding side doors, rear DVD entertainment with screens for the second and third rows, touch screen navigation and more cup holders than you’ll know what to do with.

The smallest van on the list, the 2009 Mazda MAZDA5 still comes with six-passenger seating, a nice size cargo area and second and third-row folding seats. The MAZDA5 also includes such safety features as side-curtain airbags on all three rows.

The 2009 Chrysler Town and Country features optional Swivel ‘n Go seating and a Stow ‘n Go system with folding second and third rows, which are great features for people who enjoy or need flexible seating and cargo space.

Finding the Perfect Family Car

I’m on a mission to find the perfect family car. What is the perfect family car? I don’t know yet. There are a ton of priorities and desires that we have. There is also the fact that our family is about to grow with the arrival of our third daughter.

While we’ve owned a car in the past, we’ve lived without one for the last two years. This is big. And I’m by no means an expert, but as the Dad with a conscience I want to make sure we make the right decision. It will be a decision based on the safety of our family, the costs of ownership, the cool factor, and quite significantly, our impact on the environment. Ideally we wouldn’t need to buy a car, but we will in the near future. So this blog documents our story.